The Dao Is Open website is devoted to the cultivation of Dao (Tao) and De (Te), as exemplified in the works of Laozi (Lao Tzu) and Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu).


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Translation and Commentary by Nina


	Dao De Jing Chapter 35 Verbally substantiate an image of greatness, and the whole world will flock to it. Flock to it and not criticize it. Secure and emancipated in greatness. The pleasure of tantalizing food will cause a passing traveler to stop. Thus, words about Dao are hard to grasp! They are without flavor. Look for it - there's not enough to be recognized. Listen for it - there's not enough to be learned about. Yet it cannot be dismissed. Commentary: 35 ~ What is alluring? -Verbally substantiate an image of greatness, and the whole world will flock to it. -Flock to it and not criticize it. -Secure and emancipated in greatness. People tend to flock like sheep to what others claim is valuable or prominent. Advertising campaigns are based on showing why their product or service is better than their competitor's. Brand names are promoted as desirable, not because the product is necessarily better, but because people feel a sense of conformity and social acceptance when they possess what they've been told to buy. Political candidates depend on advertising campaigns as well to ensure that they'll be elected and supported in office. All that's necessary is to convince most of the people that something is "Great" in order to get them not to question its true value. -The pleasure of tantalizing food will cause a passing traveler to stop. -Thus, words about Dao are hard to grasp! -They are without flavor. People can be lured to what seems to satisfy their senses. The more elaborate and exciting a product or belief-system is presented to the public, the more quickly they'll flock to it. Promises of love, enlightenment, heavenly bliss, or sensual satisfaction will attract even a disinterested passer-by. How bland in comparison are words about Dao. There are no promises of wealth, position, praise or eternal salvation in texts about Dao. It isn't very alluring to most people. -Look for it - there's not enough to be recognized. -Listen for it - there's not enough to be learned about. -Yet it cannot be dismissed. You might try to look for something dazzling about Dao, as though it could jump right out and attract your attention, but you wouldn't necessarily know it if you saw it. You might try to read words that would tell you fantastic things about how it will increase your life, but there aren't words enough to get you all excited about it. You might ask: Then what's the point of even considering Dao? Anyone who's attracted to trinkets and baubles would probably just pass it by. Nonetheless, it will continue on. We each make our own choices. Dao Is Open Site Map \| BY: Nina \| Guodian Laozi \| DDJ Concordance \| Comparisons \| From the DIO Forum \| BY: Bao Pu \| By: Joshua \| Who was Laozi \| \| Return Home \| Laozi's Dao De Jing \| Your Dao De Jing \| Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) \| Links \| Meditation \| Dao (Tao) is Open Forum \| Book List \| Other Stuff \|